Once upon a time in a mythical, coastal paradise called Nomo-Nomo, the inhabitants lived in peace and harmony with nature and the environment. They were not aware that a creature known as "Man" who shared the land with them was doing things that were harmful to the Ozone and the Ozone Layer. As a direct result of "man's" activities, there was massive erosion, the sea rapidly taking over land. Weggy the Worm who had the ability to hear and understand "Man", heard part of a conversation which revealed that Climate Change was coming and would cause the sea to take over land. Weggy's home, Nomo-Nomo was in danger of being swallowed up by the sea, and all forms of life on it would be destroyed. But Weggy did not hear all of "Man's" conversation. He also said that a man-made reef would be constructed in front of Nomo-Nomo to stop the erosion and protect the wildlife. Weggy enlisted Ms. Beaky Toucan as his first confederate. After Weggy explained to her what climate change was all about, they form an alliance with a mission to warn the inhabitants of Nomo-Nomo that Climate Change was coming, and the sea would cover Nomo-Nomo and destroy everyone and everything unless they moved to higher grounds. The inhabitants of Nomo-Nomo did not want to listen and turned their backs on Weggy and Ms. Beaky. At this point Wise Ole Brer Owl, who believed Weggy and Ms. Beaky, pledged to help them to get their message across. The Trio then enlisted Anansi the Spider as their leader. And so a worm, a blind bird, a bird with an oversize beak and a spider set out on a mission to get the residents of Nomo-Nomo to abandon Nomo-Nomo before the rising sea which was caused by Climate Change, covered the land and destroyed everything on it. Anansi then developed a full proof strategy that was to be used. When next the group met, Anansi's plan to save Nomo-Nomo was set. Weggy the Worm announced that a real big storm was approaching that would wreak havoc on Nomo-Nomo, and it was even more urgent that they should evacuate Nomo-Nomo before it was destroyed. Anansi brought the inhabitants out to a feast and then announced that the feasting was off because of an approaching hurricane. Everyone must evacuate Nomo-Nomo or perished. And so the inhabitants of Nomo-Nomo reluctantly gave up their homes, firmly believing that they were doing so to guarantee the survival of their species. The procession left Nomo-Nomo in the midst of a raging storm, and things went well until they were informed that they were heading directly into the path of an army of marauding Marching Ants, the scourge of the rain forest. The marauders were bearing down rapidly, and if they were to catch with the evacuees, up there would be high causality, so Anansi comprised another plan to block the enemy and allow the procession to move forward. A bitter battle ensued that defeated the Marching Ants army, forcing them to make a very rare retreat. The procession finally reached the New Land. Before anyone could claim any territory, the inhabitants of The New Land appeared out of nowhere. They form a massive front that prevented the Nomo-Nomoans from proceeding any further. Bush Dog, a powerful spokesman hit them with the facts of life. He informed them that Climate Change is coming, but that doesn't mean it would happen overnight. What they must do was to return to their homeland and learn what could be done to ease the adverse effects of Climate-Change on coastal communities like Nomo-Nomo, both for their own benefit and for that of their future generations. Realizing that that they made the useless journey based upon a rumor, Howlie the Monkey demanded to know who started it. Weggy the Worm admitted that it was he. Howlie suggested that they skinned Weggy but Anansi defended him. And so, the inhabitants of Nomo-Nomo were forced to begin the long journey back to their homes, to start rebuilding and to start learning what they needed to do to live with Climate Change, now and in the future.
About the Author: John Alexander Watler, Belizean novelist, Master Storyteller, Poet, Literary Performer was born in Monkey River Village, Toledo District, Belize (British Honduras) in 1938. Among his other published works are: "Blue Hole, "screenplay; "The Bomba Codex, novel; "The Banjuju Tribe," novel: "The Snake Doctor," novel; "De Works," collection of short fiction and non-fiction; "Sea Lotto," novel; "Boss Of Dangriga," novel; "Antics" a folklore anthology; "Escape To Nomo-Nomo" lyrical folklore comedy; "Story of Belize City," historical, epic poem. In addition to his many contributions to Belizean literature, John Alexander Watler is also MASTER STORYTELLER, well known in the Belizean theater for his lively one-man performances portraying Brer Anansi or one of his own creations, namely "Onefoot" and "Sunkutu." Watler is a favorite of school children throughout Belize for his fresh stories and energetic performances, and is recognized for his efforts to keep Belizean Kriol Culture alive. He is an elder member of the American National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) and served on their Scholar's Panel at their 2010 national convention in Minneapolis, MN. He's also a member of the International Storytellers' Association.